Diversity, physiochemical and phylogenetic analyses of bacteria isolated from various drinking water sources

Objective: To evaluate the indigenous bacterial strains of drinking water from the most commercial water types including bottled and filtered water that are currently used in Saudi Arabia

Methods: Thirty randomly selected commercial brands of bottled water were purchased from Saudi local markets. Moreover, samples from tap water and filtered water were collected in sterilized glass bottles and stored at 4[degree]C. Biochemical analyses including pH, temperature, lactose fermentation test [LAC], indole test [IND], methyl red test [MR], Voges-Proskauer test [VP], urease test [URE], catalase test [CAT], aerobic and anaerobic test [Ae/An] were measured. Molecular identification and comparative sequence analyses were done by full length 16S rRNA gene sequences using gene bank databases and phylogenetic trees were constructed to see the closely related similarity index between bacterial strains

Results: Among 30 water samples tested, 18 were found positive for bacterial growth. Molecular identification of four selected bacterial strains indicated the alarming presence of pathogenic bacteria Bacillus spp. in most common commercial types of drinking water used in Saudi Arabia

Conclusion: The lack of awareness about good sanitation, poor personal hygienic practices and failure of safe water management and supply are the important factors for poor drinking water quality in these sources, need to be addressed

effect of magnetic field on the biochemical parameters of mice blood

The effect of different types of poles of magnets north/north [N/N], south/south [S/S], north/south [N/S] and south/north [S/N], magnet strength 2mT, for 3 and 6 days were monitored on the biochemical parameters of male Swiss Albino mice blood. Comparing to unexposed mice, significant variations in biochemical parameters [cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose and total protein] were noticed. Each type of poles have their own effect which totally different than the others. It is concluded that the effect seen with electromagnetic fields were due to magnetic filed in general. The effect of magnetic field on animals should be studied further in a step to evaluate them as a possible approach of managing patients with disorders related to glucose and lipids metabolism

L-ergothioneine level in red blood cells of healthy human males in the Western province of Saudi Arabia

Ergothioneine is widely distributed in biological systems, particularly in red blood cells of animals. However, it's functional role in human body is not well understood. In order to investigate the biochemical effect of L-ergothioneine, its concentration changes in human blood with respect to ages in healthy individuals was first investigated. L-ergothioneine concentrations in the blood of Saudi males from western province at different stages of life were measured by the procedure of Carlsson et al., 1974. At early stages of life (1-10 years), the concentrations of LER is 1.5-2.0 mg/100 ml. It increases gradually at the age of 11-18 years where it reaches the maximum value of 3.7 mg/100 ml. Then, it declines gradually to 3.0-2.3 mg/ 100 ml during the period of 19-50 years. An increase in the level of LER (2.8 mg/100 ml) was seen at the age of 51+.

Micronutrients status in Saudi Arabia

In the last three decades, Saudi Arabia witnessed rapid changes in health, education, social services and agriculture. These changes had a profound impact on food consumption patterns, health and nutritional status, particularly on the micronutrients status of Saudis. We have reviewed the available literature on the micronutrients status in Saudi Arabia. The results reveal the need of formulated studies to determine the prevalence and causes of vitamin A deficiency and there are very few studies on the zinc status in the Kingdom. Data shows that iron deficiency anemia, vitamin D deficiency and iodine deficiency [in few areas] do exist in Saudi Arabia. Ameliorative measures are presented to combat this public health problem

Serum zinc level of healthy individuals living in western province of Saudi Arabia

To establish a normal serum zinc level range of healthy individuals at different age group living in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. A prospective, cross section study of 276 healthy subjects, 138 males and 138 females was done. Their ages ranged from 1 month to seventy years. They were divided into nine groups according to the Recommended Dietary Allowances Classification for both sexes. Sample were collected and zinc level determined using method of Parker. Serum zinc level were found to be different at different age group, the highest were found to be at earliest stages of life and at the age of 15 - 50 years for both sexes. The serum zinc level range of all ages were found to be [0.50 - 13.90 umol/L] which is lower than the international established standard [7.65 - 22.95 umol/L]